Without Mike McCarthy, there would be no Ben McAdoo – at least no Ben McAdoo, news Giants head coach.

McCarthy, the Packers head coach, has had McAdoo’s back in the coaching world for quite some time. The two worked together with the Saints. When McCarthy went to Green Bay, he summoned McAdoo to work on his staff, first as the tight ends coach, later entrusting him to work with Aaron Rodgers as the quarterbacks coach.

The two come from the same region, and McCarthy was beaming with pride Thursday as he spoke about McAdoo, who replaces Tom Coughlin as the Giants head coach.

“I mean, I think a lot of us that are from that region of the country take a lot of pride in being from there, Western Pennsylvania,’’ McCarthy said in Green Bay, where the Packers are preparing for Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the Cardinals in Arizona.

McAdoo and McCarthy (middle, in gray sweatshirt) talk with Aaron Rodgers at a Packers practice in 2013.H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Med

“Ben has a tremendous work ethic. I remember the first day I met him: I talked to him at the Indianapolis combine. I was the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, and he had called me on the phone, was seeking an opportunity just to talk football. He was coaching, I don’t recall the school, somewhere up in New York or Connecticut [actually Fairfield], and we talked on the phone that evening. And then the next day at lunch, when I was coming back from the workouts at the combine, Ben was sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for me. He drove all night just for an opportunity to sit down and talk football.

“So that’s my first impression of Ben McAdoo and then obviously to what he’s put himself in position for, it’s just no surprise. Tremendously dedicated, not just to his family but to the coaching profession.’’

McCarthy said McAdoo’s age (38) is no factor in how he will handle this promotion from offensive coordinator to head coach.

“Can’t tell you how proud I am,’’ McCarthy said. “He’s ready and deserving.’’